To run or to work the tide?

The Walmart FLW Tour Major on the Potomac River was my first exposure to tidal water. As a writer I was intrigued, as a fisherman, perplexed. I have fished water before with varying levels throughout the day or week but never any that could be accurately predicted.

That’s not to say that you could necessarily predict exactly what the water levels were on the Potomac either however. Although there is technically a method to the madness, there are a plenty of variables thrown in to make being at the right place at the right time a tall feat.

Between high and low tide there seemed to be 2 to 3 feet of depth change depending on the day. Even though the tide is supposed to be at a certain level at a certain time, when you throw in an opposing wind, the tide can be blocked from coming in or receding, or rushed in or out by a tail wind.

This could change the tide 30 minutes, an hour or even longer and have a patch of grass either flooded or high and dry when it was just right the day before. Take into account that the tide progresses 45 minutes each day and the best calculations for when and where to be might be less effective than a dart tossed blindly at a lake map.

So every angler has to choose one of three alternatives. Chase the tide and fish every place at what some say is the optimal low tide, stay in an area and fish what is best at different stages of the tide, or just go fishing. For the final option to work you have to be either very good or very lucky. In order to chase the tide you have to have a brilliant understanding of how the tide works. And if you expect sit in one area and compete, it better be a really good area.

It was interesting to see the different pros take their best guess at what was needed in order to win on the Potomac. Bryan Thrift, one of the purest fishermen to ever pick up a rod in my opinion, admits that his only knowledge of the tides is that during low tide he can throw a frog. He managed to go fishing and earn an impressive top 10.

Jim Moynagh was able to move around in one area and fish the most productive parts at different phases of the tide to secure his spot on the final day. On the other hand, Dave Lefebre would intentionally be in a certain place at a certain time taking into account every variable imaginable to be where he wanted to be when the tide was where he wanted it. Lefebre also etched out a top 10.

Most of the time fishing can be looked at as predictably unpredictable. Fishing tidal waters appeared twice as bad. Unpredictably unpredictable if you will. However, these anglers proved why they are some of the best in the world. It was an eye opener for a fan of the sport like myself who is accustomed to more of a reservoir-type fishery. Seeing some of the best out there execute their game plans with such precisions was impressive.

I know that all of the anglers in the top 10 would have rather won than to have earned my respect but my proverbial hat is off to you for figuring out how to make it to the final day. Whether you worked the tide, chose to chase it or just went fishing, it was a job well done.